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Today we say happy birthday to........

Brigadier General Rhonda L. Cornum

Rhonda was a POW in Iraq when her helicopter was shot down in 1991. Find out what happened and read her story here.

Rhonda L. Cornum was born in Oklahoma in 1953 and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1976. She earned her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 1980 and completed her residency in 1983 to become a board-certified orthopedic surgeon.

Rhonda served in the U.S. Army for 22 years, including tours of duty in Germany, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. She was a flight surgeon during the first Gulf War, and she was captured by Iraqi forces after her helicopter was shot down. She was held as a prisoner of war (POW) for eight days before she was rescued. During that time, she was interrogated and mistreated by her captors. However, she did not give them any information that would have been useful to the enemy, and when she was finally rescued, she was taken to a hospital where she was treated for her injuries.

Rhonda was rescued on March 30, 1991 by a team of U.S. Army Rangers who conducted a daring raid on the Iraqi prison where she was being held. The Rangers killed several of her captors and freed her and the other prisoners who were being held there.

Cornum retired from the Army in 2012 with the rank of Brigadier General and was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Prisoner of War Medal for her service. After she retired, she worked as a consultant and an expert witness in military cases. She also wrote several books about her experiences entitled She Went to War: The Rhonda Cornum Story, including her autobiography, Some Things I’ve Learned Along the Way.

Rhonda retired from the Army in 2012 with the rank of Brigadier General and was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Prisoner of War Medal for her service. After she retired, she worked as a consultant and an expert witness in military cases. She also wrote several books about her experiences entitled She Went to War: The Rhonda Cornum Story, including her autobiography, Some Things I’ve Learned Along the Way.

In addition to her medical degree, Cornum also holds a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in systems engineering from George Mason University.

Cornum is a highly decorated military veteran who served her country with distinction. She is an example of strength and resilience, and she is an inspiration to all who know her story.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE MA'AM